“Don’t step on your own balls.” – Paul Welday, 1995
The Michigan-based Republican strategist who uttered these
words passed away yesterday, at the age of 57.
He said this phrase at an organizational meeting for Ronna
Romney for U.S. Senate, which was her second bid for that high public
office. He was the Campaign Manager and
the attendees were, like me, relatively young operatives. He was in his late 30s and thus at least
a half-generation older than the others in the room.
In his own earthy way, he was advising the assembled to be
mindful, to reflect before acting, to minimize the risk of unforced
errors. It remains good counsel.
Welday remained in the political consulting and
government affairs arenas. He worked
hard and was well-respected. He sought
elective office a couple of times and while he helped many other candidates
win, he couldn’t quite grasp that particular brass ring for himself. That said, he would have made a darn good
Member of Congress.
On this Primary Election Night, I will hoist a tumbler of
Dewar’s, his beverage of choice, in his memory.
He was one of us.
Stay tuned as more will follow.
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